She was born Dec. 9, 1926, in Barre, the youngest daughter of John J. and Helen (Finn) McMahon.

Clare attended St. Monica Graded School and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1945. She lived in Barre until 1999 when she moved to Northfield.

Clare was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre and the Catholic Daughters of America. Her faith was important to her and brought her comfort.

She worked for the state of Vermont Highway Department as a traffic records clerk for 33 years and retired in August 1979. After her retirement, Clare traveled more extensively.

Clare loved travel whether by bus, trains, planes or automobiles and often talked of the adventures. She traveled throughout the United States to see family and friends, and her travels brought her to Ireland and Europe as well.

Family was an important part of Clare’s life, and she enjoyed hearing and sharing their accomplishments. Clare enjoyed music and took piano lessons as an adult. Often she played the piano for her mother and visiting family. She took great pride in her accomplishments with the piano. She also enjoyed reading the newspapers and keeping up with ongoing events, word puzzles, knitting and baking.

She had a vast network of friends which she maintained contact with over the years. In her retirement, Clare participated in Project Independence in Barre for many years before her move to Northfield.

Clare is survived by her sister Margaret M. McGuire, of Rutland. She was predeceased by her parents and sister Elizabeth LeClaire. She is survived by Elizabeth’s children and their families: Anne Donnelly, of Lawyersville, N.Y., and family, Helen Lacey, of Arizona, Margaret “Peg” LeClaire and family, of Waldport, Ore., Jane Ducharme and family, of Whidbey Island, Freeland, Wash., David LeClaire and family, of McCall, Idaho, John LeClaire and family, of Anchorage, Alaska, Kay Beaubien and family, of Manitou Springs, Colo.; and Margaret’s children and their families: Maureen McGuire, of Newport Center, Sheila Johnson, of LaGrange, Ill., Kathleen Dolan, of Troy, N.Y., Monica McGuire, of Ranson, W.Va., Thomas McGuire, of Granby, Conn., Barbara McGuire, of Rutland, and Michael McGuire, of Rutland.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Mayo Manor and Mayo Health and Rehabilitation for the care and support provided to Clare while she lived in Northfield.

Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Guare and Sons Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at 1 p.m. at St. Monica Church, Barre.